Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Approving the 2012-2013 Five-Year Project List for Underground Utility Conversion Projects
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Underground Utility District Master Plan requires the adoption of a five-year project list each year by the City Council as part of the planning process for the Capital Improvement Program.
Staff recommends approval of the resolution establishing the 2012-2013 Five-Year Project List for Underground Utility District Conversion Projects.
BACKGROUND
The Underground Utility District Master Plan, adopted in 1985, provides a systematic approach to converting overhead utility systems to underground systems along the City's major arterial streets. In April 1992, the Master Plan was amended by the City Council to make it more of a planning tool through an annual review of the project areas included in the Master Plan. Project criteria are clearly defined in the Master Plan to determine the areas that may be considered as potential Underground Utility Conversion Districts.
Analysis
Under the amended Master Plan, conversion projects are evaluated for the Five-Year Project List using the following criteria:
· Anticipated street widening projects
· Anticipated significant street improvements other than street widening
· Potential for major new development
· Anticipated significant utility company work
· As an incentive to encourage development in an area
· Overall community aesthetic benefits of a conversion project
· Cost of a project
The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) directs Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to set aside funds for electrical undergrounding projects. These funds are known as Rule 20A funds and included an escalation factor designed to have the Rule 20A work credit allocations keep pace with inflation and maintain local agencies’ Rule 20A buying power. However, in 2011, PG&E obtained PUC’s approval to end the escalation of these allocations, which resulted i...
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